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In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Attorney General Pam Bondi dated Tuesday, Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jack Reed requested an investigation by December 1 into World Liberty Financial's compliance with anti-money laundering rules, sanctions, and governance. The demand stems from a September report by Accountable.US alleging the project sold $WLFI governance tokens to wallets linked to North Korea's Lazarus Group, a Russian sanctions-evasion stablecoin, Iran's NoBitex exchange, and the sanctioned mixer Tornado Cash. DT Marks DEFI LLC, controlled by Donald Trump and his family, holds 22.5 billion tokens and receives 75% of sales revenue, while the project lists Trump family members in prominent roles; World Liberty Financial maintains it has robust compliance measures with no evidence of wrongdoing.

Key Takeaway

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jack Reed have fired off a letter urging a federal probe into World Liberty Financial, the Trump family's crypto project, over alleged sales to North Korean hackers and sanctioned entities.

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Zahr, a Michigan school board trustee and comedian, was detained on December 26 during a show in the northern Israeli city, home to a large Arab population. Police asked if he supported or opposed Israel; he declined to answer and was freed without charges, later noting it was '1% of what happens to Palestinians every single day.' Michigan Rep. Alabas Farhat and trustee Adel A. Mozip called for his release, citing concerns over Arab mistreatment, while the incident fueled online backlash over free speech for Palestinian advocates. Zahr, now safe with family, plans to share more details soon.

Key Takeaway

Midway through his stand-up set in Nazareth, Amer Zahr faced Israeli officers questioning if his jokes crossed into incitement. The U.S. citizen, whose family roots trace back there, was held for about an hour before release.

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Protests erupted across Iran after the rial hit a record low of 1.42 million to the dollar on December 28, driving up food prices by 72% and medicine by 50% over the past year. Demonstrators in Tehran and cities like Hamedan and Kerman demand economic relief while rejecting clerical rule and invoking the pre-1979 monarchy, with Reza Pahlavi urging security forces to join the people. Authorities deployed tear gas but President Pezeshkian called for dialogue on legitimate demands, as no deaths are confirmed yet.

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Shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their stalls and blocked streets, drawing thousands who chanted for the return of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi amid soaring prices.

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On Thursday, Jackson Hinkle's X post labeling Taiwan a 'fake country' under China drew sharp rebuttals and support, spotlighting Taiwan's limited diplomatic recognition by only 12 UN members and the Holy See amid the unresolved Chinese Civil War. Taiwan governs 23 million people democratically, holds multiparty elections, maintains a 215,000-strong military, and receives U.S. arms support, including a recent $330 million package. Public opinion strongly favors the status quo or independence, with over 80% rejecting China's 'one country, two systems' model, reflecting broader geopolitical divides.

Key Takeaway

Influencer Jackson Hinkle declared Taiwan a 'fake country' that belongs to China, igniting a heated online clash viewed over 65,000 times. The post amplified longstanding tensions between China's unification claims and Taiwan's 76 years of independent self-governance.

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Internal Kremlin documents obtained by French services show Moscow's presidential administration approved operations to depict France as both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic, exploiting immigration debates and the Israel-Hamas war. Serbian nationals carried out the vandalism under remote direction from alleged Russian agent Aleksandar Savic, who remains at large after arrests in France and Serbia. The incidents fit a pattern of suspected Russian hybrid tactics, amid France's real challenges with rising hate crimes since October 2023. Neither French authorities nor Russia have publicly confirmed the findings.

Key Takeaway

In May and September 2025, green paint splattered synagogues and pigs' heads marked 'MACRON' appeared at mosques near Paris. French intelligence now links these acts to a Russian scheme aimed at fracturing the nation's unity.

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The assets, worth €183 billion and held mostly at Euroclear in Brussels, would fund Ukraine's defense and budget needs now, with repayment from future Russian reparations. De Wever demands EU-wide risk sharing and points to Belgium's ongoing aid via taxes on the assets' interest, expected to yield €1 billion next year. EU allies criticize Belgium's handling of those funds, while the standoff highlights strains in supporting Ukraine amid shifting U.S. policies. Diplomats hope for progress at December's summit.

Key Takeaway

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever wrote a firm letter this week, calling the EU's proposal to back €140 billion in loans with frozen Russian funds fundamentally wrong. He worries it breaks international law and risks Belgium's financial standing.

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Cocoon runs on the TON blockchain and pairs AI developers needing processing muscle with GPU providers who earn cryptocurrency rewards. It uses Trusted Execution Environments to encrypt prompts and results, shielding them even from the hardware hosts. Telegram's billion users will soon feel the impact through features like message translation and voice-to-text in Mini Apps. Durov sees it as a privacy-focused rival to big cloud providers, with plans to scale up GPU supply and demand in the weeks ahead.

Key Takeaway

Pavel Durov just flipped the switch on Cocoon, a new network that lets developers tap into GPUs worldwide while keeping every bit of data locked tight. It's a fresh take on AI power, rewarding hardware owners with TON crypto along the way.

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In 2025, China's solar generation exceeded 1,000 TWh so far, with the first half alone producing 559 TWh, a 43% increase from 2024 and surpassing hydropower for the first time. Solar capacity reached 1.08 terawatts by June, up 57% year-over-year, contributing to renewables supplying one-third of the nation's electricity. This growth outpaced demand, reducing CO2 emissions by 1% in the first half despite rising AI and EV needs, as China added 212 GW of solar capacity mid-year.

Key Takeaway

China's solar power has surged past 1,000 terawatt-hours this year, matching the electricity from 150 to 160 nuclear reactors over nearly 10 months.

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On Thursday, Jackson Hinkle's X post labeling Taiwan a 'fake country' under China drew sharp rebuttals and support, spotlighting Taiwan's limited diplomatic recognition by only 12 UN members and the Holy See amid the unresolved Chinese Civil War. Taiwan governs 23 million people democratically, holds multiparty elections, maintains a 215,000-strong military, and receives U.S. arms support, including a recent $330 million package. Public opinion strongly favors the status quo or independence, with over 80% rejecting China's 'one country, two systems' model, reflecting broader geopolitical divides.

Key Takeaway

Influencer Jackson Hinkle declared Taiwan a 'fake country' that belongs to China, igniting a heated online clash viewed over 65,000 times. The post amplified longstanding tensions between China's unification claims and Taiwan's 76 years of independent self-governance.

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Amorim guided United unbeaten through October but saw results crumble, ending with a draw at Leeds and no wins in six, leading to his dismissal after 14 months. Maresca earned November honors with 10 points for Chelsea, but a collapse and owner rift got him fired on New Year's Day after 18 months. Fans flood social media with memes, joking to vote Arsenal's Mikel Arteta for December to test the curse, while praising Arsenal's patience through his mid-season slump that now has them topping the table with 48 points.

Key Takeaway

Ruben Amorim won October's Manager of the Month with Manchester United, only to get sacked this morning after a winless run. Enzo Maresca met the same fate at Chelsea just weeks after his November award.

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Posts highlight China's high-speed trains reaching speeds of 307 km/h with modern stations and interiors, contrasting them with underdeveloped rail systems in the United States and Canada. Users note China's extensive network covering 240 cities and exceeding global totals.

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Israel became the first UN member state to formally recognize Somaliland, a self-declared republic that has governed independently since 1991 after Somalia's civil war. The agreement with Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar promises cooperation in agriculture, economics, and security. Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the move, calling Somaliland a secessionist project and hinting at force, while the African Union and others decried it as a sovereignty violation amid fears of escalation in the Horn of Africa.

Key Takeaway

On December 26, 2025, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed off on recognizing Somaliland's independence—a bold step echoing a 1960 letter of support.

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In the 2025-26 Premier League after 19 games, Liverpool hold fourth place on 33 points with 10 wins, three draws, and six losses, while Manchester United sit sixth on 30 points, three behind, with a potent attack but leaky defense. United fans debated a bold post claiming they could overtake the defending champions, but many pointed to their own dropped points against lower teams under manager Ruben Amorim. With head-to-head matches ahead and the top-four race open, optimists see potential in United's firepower, though critics warn against overconfidence.

Key Takeaway

A Manchester United fan account declared Liverpool 'bang average' with no reason not to finish above them this season. The post sparked heated replies, mostly from fellow United supporters calling for realism.

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Manchester United's manager Ruben Amorim dismissed January transfer talk in his pre-match press conference, insisting no players want to leave and no changes are planned without replacements. The Red Devils sit sixth with 30 points from 19 games, chasing Chelsea, but Amorim's record shows more losses than wins, splitting fans between calls for patience in his rebuild and harsh criticism. A win Sunday against rivals Leeds—where United have won the last two away league games—could provide vital momentum at the raucous Elland Road.

Key Takeaway

Ruben Amorim steps into the heated Yorkshire derby at Elland Road, firmly telling reporters no squad shake-up is coming despite the mounting pressure.

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United sit sixth in the Premier League table midway through December, a step up from last season's eighth under Erik ten Hag, yet fans demand more after blowing multiple leads at home. Amorim, who joined in November 2024 after winning titles at Sporting Lisbon, faces criticism for a 30-40% win rate, defensive issues, and a 3-4-3 system that hasn't gelled amid injuries. Calls grow for Flamengo's Filipe Luís as replacement, praised for his trophy haul since September 2024, while some defend the progress and Bruno Fernandes' team-leading 5 goals and 7 assists. With a busy holiday schedule ahead, Amorim must deliver wins to ease the pressure.

Key Takeaway

Old Trafford saw leads vanish in a chaotic 4-4 thriller against Bournemouth on December 15. Manchester United supporters aired their frustrations with manager Ruben Amorim loud and clear.

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The @Watch_LFC post praised Salah's 250 Liverpool goals, titles, and legacy while admitting gripes with his style, crediting prayer for his arrival during a successful era. It drew mockery for connecting faith to a footballer's achievements, pushback from some Muslims as disrespectful, and defense from die-hards highlighting his trophies. This came amid Salah's public admission of a broken relationship with manager Arne Slot after benchings, with the account urging him to prioritize team over ego as Liverpool chase the Premier League.

Key Takeaway

After Liverpool's narrow 1-0 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro without Mohamed Salah up top, a fan account shared a personal story tying the star's goals to deepened belief in Allah.

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Peak Rare Earths, an Australian company developing the Ngualla deposit near Mbeya, was bought by China's Shenghe Resources after funding woes. China already dominates with 70% of global mining and 90% of refining for the 17 rare earths essential to electronics, EVs, defense, and AI. The U.S. once led from its Mountain Pass mine in the 1980s but lost ground to China's low prices and refining prowess; now efforts like reviving Mountain Pass and federal aid aim to diversify, though experts say it will take a decade.

Key Takeaway

A promising rare earth project in Tanzania, meant to challenge China's supply hold, has now fallen under Beijing's control. It highlights how tough it is to build alternatives for these vital metals.

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Manchester United beat Newcastle 1-0 on Boxing Day at Old Trafford, climbing to fifth in the Premier League with their first clean sheet since early October. Patrick Dorgu's 28th-minute volley from a Casemiro cross decided the match, as Ruben Amorim ditched his usual 3-4-3 for a flexible back-four that shifted shapes to disrupt Newcastle. Despite missing key players like Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, academy talents Ayden Heaven and Jack Fletcher shone, with Amorim praising the squad's resilience and togetherness.

Key Takeaway

Patrick Dorgu unleashed a stunning volley to silence Old Trafford, securing a gritty win despite United's injury crisis.

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After sitting out November games against Tottenham and Everton, Dalot returned stronger, starting United's last three matches with a goal against West Ham and an assist in the 4-1 Wolves win. His touches in the attacking third hit 65, doubling penalty-area visits from prior starts. A source close to the 26-year-old praised his response to criticism, evolving from full-back into a winger-like threat ahead of Amad's AFCON absence. Fans hailed his recent showings as career-best in red, though some question the left-wing shift in Amorim's system.

Key Takeaway

Diogo Dalot took Ruben Amorim's benching in stride, knowing his early form fell short amid fan pressure. Extra one-on-one drills at Carrington turned him into a sharper attacking force.

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Ruben Amorim explained that United struggled to create chances due to the absence of Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo at AFCON, plus captain Bruno Fernandes' hamstring injury. Data shows these three lead the team in opportunities and set pieces, and their simultaneous loss hit hard after a 1-1 draw at bottom-table Wolves on New Year's Day. With Mason Mount also injured, Amorim faces Leeds United next, expecting the trio back soon—no January signings planned.

Key Takeaway

Manchester United's attack has gone quiet without three key creators, leaving fans frustrated after a draw at Wolves. Coach Ruben Amorim called it plain bad luck.

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